The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1887-01-28

u am done with politics forever. I have
no ambition beyond my present place. The
game Of politics has no allurements for me- /
have no patience with politicians and no de-
sire to mix up with them. No sincere friend
OF mine will speak of me in connection with
any political office. have seen enough of
politics to know what it is, and, as we used to
say down in Indiana, the fox who plays with
pitch will surely get tar ON his tall"
But the general mention of your name in
connection with the Office OF president must
be fattering to you, Judge" protested his
friend
mo, it is not. IL is insulting to say that a
man would use his judicial position to further
private ambition. am heartily in favor of
an amendment to the const tuition which will
make federal judges ineligible to the office of
president"
After pointing out as indicative of the
temper of the people, the number OF men who
have sought to step from the bench to the
White House. and failed, the Judge added in
tone which left no doubt of his sincerity:
"As for the presidency. was long enough
in Washington to perceive tliet the president
must either engage in daily relentless fight
with politicians, partisans, and at least por-
tion of the public press, or he must earn
peace by consenting to be led around by the
nosen ~
All interest in the personality of Judge
Gresham must, therefore, be on the score OF
bis uprightness, learning and feariessness as
a judge, rather than on account of talk of
hin, as q possible candidate for tho presi-
dency. As n judge, knowing neither the fear
nor the favorof the richest and most power.
full, and as one who has dedicated his life and
talents to. his high Office, abjuring all other
ambition and frowning upon all attempts to
swerve Him from the path of duty, no must
command the admiration Of men OF all par-
ties.
Walter Gresham is essentially a judge. His
mind is judicial, his temperament peculiarly
that OF an arbiter. Though learned in the
law, he has not too much respect for its tra-
ditions. He has little patience with the soph-
istres OF lawyers, and is i'll the habit of BRUSH
ing aside the piles of legal dust and ancient
cobwebs which bar ristcrs SO love to throw
about case, particularly il it be a desperate
one, and of going straight to the anubbin" Of
the issue.
Some time ago had occasion to make an
investigation, with view to learning the per
cent of successful men i'll tho professions ana
trades in Chicago who had begun life as the
sons OF farmers. The result of my inquiries
made on rather an extensive scale, was sug-
gestive- Nineteen of twenty were, as boys,
droppers of seed potatoes, the more or less
energetic enemies of weeds and raccoons and
the carriers of water to thirsty harvest hands
in hot and stubbly fields. Judge Gresham
was one of the nineteen. Born at Corydon.
Ind, So years ago, his father died when
be was butan infant. The family was poor
and the widow had to struggle for bread.
Young Walter early learned to help her, and
at 16 found employment in the county audi
tors office OF Corydon. That enabled him to
keep his mother and at the same time to study
law. Finally be hung out his shingle in the
country village, and it is just possible that
but for the exciting events of 1860 a rusty tin
sign might still adorn wooden building in
Corydon and present to the gaze of passers
by the legend: